getting into 3.5e

[Pugwampy]

(I think that's the right prefix?)

Hey, and thanks for helping me with the You gained a level in real life: 2024 edition thread, I enjoyed doing that! But I'd like to get into 3.5e, because 5e is kind of basic for me, as I go on. So, are there any of the books I need, because I own none of the books. I mostly just use srd.dndtools.org for finding cool classes and prestige classes and stuff like that. So would I need any of the books, or what?

As well as, if I do need the books (I'm just gonna stick to the PHB for now), would an Elf Wizard/Fighter/Eldritch Knight/ Arcane Archer work? Because it sounds pretty cool to me, I'd be able to attack from here, there, now, then, yesterday, another reality, what with how broken wizards are, and I think sacrificing a couple of spellcasting levels (from the Wizard and Eldritch Knight levels) for the magic arrows would be a fair trade-off. Would that be a fine build? So far, I'm thinking 5 levels of Wizard for the spells and the spellcasting requirement for the Eldritch Knight, 6 levels of Fighter for the BAB requirements, 2 levels of Arcane Archer for the Imbue Arrow ability, and all the rest of the levels as Eldritch Knight, or would splitting them equally between Arcane Archer and Eldritch Knight be better? But if I can use something else, I would probably switch out Eldritch Knight for Bladesinger, but that isn't an option if I'm sticking to the core books.

You can run a game just fine with players handbook . Just prepare your session well . Most folk have cellphones with internet access if there is truly something you not sure of . I myself just improvise and look it up after the session .

The monsters in monster manual get minced so you normally have to adjust its stats or using monsters that are 3 levels higher. Many of my DM friends groan and wished they could just open that book and use the info provided .

Would a Wizard/Fighter/Eldritch Knight/ Arcane Archer work? Probably not . In my experience DND rewards specialist players . If you want something yes dip in but only for one level .

Wizards are OP or useless depending on the player . In my experience most people are useless wizards .

[TheHalfAasimar]

You can run a game just fine with players handbook . Just prepare your session well . Most folk have cellphones with internet access if there is truly something you not sure of . I myself just improvise and look it up after the session .

The monsters in monster manual get minced so you normally have to adjust its stats or using monsters that are 3 levels higher. Many of my DM friends groan and wished they could just open that book and use the info provided .

Would a Wizard/Fighter/Eldritch Knight/ Arcane Archer work? Probably not . In my experience DND rewards specialist players . If you want something yes dip in but only for one level .

Wizards are OP or useless depending on the player . In my experience most people are useless wizards .

Okay, I see what you're saying. Thanks!

[Biggus]

The monsters in monster manual get minced so you normally have to adjust its stats or using monsters that are 3 levels higher. Many of my DM friends groan and wished they could just open that book and use the info provided .

I think you've spent too much time around optimizers/expert players, this has never been the case with newish players in my experience.

Would a Wizard/Fighter/Eldritch Knight/ Arcane Archer work? Probably not . In my experience DND rewards specialist players

It depends what your definition of "work" is. If you mean "it wouldn't be as strong as playing a straight Wizard" you're right but then nothing is except other full casters. But it'd still be better than most other classes, including ones like Duskblade.

Wizards are OP or useless depending on the player

Agreed on this, Wizard takes a fair bit of knowledge to work well. If the OP hadn't played D&D before I'd have strongly suggested they didn't play a Wizard first, but since they said they'd played 5E and found it too basic for their tastes, it sounds like they're the sort of person who'd enjoy learning the complexities of Wizardry.

@OP: did you find out what level the campaign is expected to go to?

[TheHalfAasimar]

I think you've spent too much time around optimizers/expert players, this has never been the case with newish players in my experience.



It depends what your definition of "work" is. If you mean "it wouldn't be as strong as playing a straight Wizard" you're right but then nothing is except other full casters. But it'd still be better than most other classes, including ones like Duskblade.



Agreed on this, Wizard takes a fair bit of knowledge to work well. If the OP hadn't played D&D before I'd have strongly suggested they didn't play a Wizard first, but since they said they'd played 5E and found it too basic for their tastes, it sounds like they're the sort of person who'd enjoy learning the complexities of Wizardry.

@OP: did you find out what level the campaign is expected to go to?

Nope, but I'll ask. I'm not trying to make an OP character, just one that can serve a couple of different purposes, like range if the enemy is melee, melee if the enemy is ranged, and spells if the enemy is resistant to my weapons.

[Biggus]

Nope, but I'll ask. I'm not trying to make an OP character, just one that can serve a couple of different purposes, like range if the enemy is melee, melee if the enemy is ranged, and spells if the enemy is resistant to my weapons.

The kinds of builds we've discussed should work for you then, they're quite strong but not ridiculously so. I think they should be fun to play.

About the enemy being resistant to your weapons: if you do decide to play an Arcane Archer and the MIC is available, check out the Force enhancement (p.35). It's a ranged-weapon-only ability which allows you to ignore all damage reduction, as far as I know the only ability which isn't epic/artifact level which allows you to do so.

[Pugwampy]

Nope, but I'll ask. I'm not trying to make an OP character, just one that can serve a couple of different purposes, like range if the enemy is melee, melee if the enemy is ranged, and spells if the enemy is resistant to my weapons.

I would suggest Archer fighter . Have a melee weapon and towershield as a secondary option . Max the skill that lets you activate wands and scrolls .

Clerics are very versatile too . A fire domain can very much boost your combat options . A good healer in the party is invaluable .
If your deity is a wargod and you choose dwarf or orc , you probably as good or better than a fighter .

[TheHalfAasimar]

The kinds of builds we've discussed should work for you then, they're quite strong but not ridiculously so. I think they should be fun to play.

About the enemy being resistant to your weapons: if you do decide to play an Arcane Archer and the MIC is available, check out the Force enhancement (p.35). It's a ranged-weapon-only ability which allows you to ignore all damage reduction, as far as I know the only ability which isn't epic/artifact level which allows you to do so.

Wow... wait, what does MIC stand for? Still, pretty cool! Yeah, I don't care nearly as much about power, I just want to have fun, and I think that the everywhere build would work pretty well! And probably be useful in most combat situations.

[Tzardok]

Wow... wait, what does MIC stand for? Still, pretty cool! Yeah, I don't care nearly as much about power, I just want to have fun, and I think that the everywhere build would work pretty well! And probably be useful in most combat situations.

MIC: Magic Item Compendium. Sourcebook on magic items that is mostly a compilation of stuff from other sourcebooks, but includes some additional rules and often changes how an item works without unneccessarily nerfing it.

[TheHalfAasimar]

MIC: Magic Item Compendium. Sourcebook on magic items that is mostly a compilation of stuff from other sourcebooks, but includes some additional rules and often changes how an item works without unneccessarily nerfing it.

Wow, thanks! I'll keep that in mind!

[Biggus]

MIC: Magic Item Compendium. Sourcebook on magic items that is mostly a compilation of stuff from other sourcebooks, but includes some additional rules and often changes how an item works without unneccessarily nerfing it.

Yes, that's what I meant. Sorry, I thought it'd already been mentioned in this thread but now I come to look I was wrong.

While it's mostly reprinted/updated stuff, there is a fair bit of new material in it. As far as I know the Force enhancement doesn't appear anywhere else.

[TheHalfAasimar]

Yes, that's what I meant. Sorry, I thought it'd already been mentioned in this thread but now I come to look I was wrong.

While it's mostly reprinted/updated stuff, there is a fair bit of new material in it. As far as I know the Force enhancement doesn't appear anywhere else.

Hey, it's fine!

Wow! Also, how does enchantment work, though? Doesn't it cost GP and XP? How quite does it work?

[Biggus]

Hey, it's fine!

Wow! Also, how does enchantment work, though? Doesn't it cost GP and XP? How quite does it work?

It does if you make it yourself, yes. You also need the appropriate item creation feat. If you're playing in a relatively high-magic world you might be able to buy magic items or pay someone to make them for you.

Guidelines for creating magic items are found here: https://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItem...MagicItems.htm

[TheHalfAasimar]

It does if you make it yourself, yes. You also need the appropriate item creation feat. If you're playing in a relatively high-magic world you might be able to buy magic items or pay someone to make them for you.

Guidelines for creating magic items are found here: https://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItem...MagicItems.htm

Thanks! This'll be helpful!

[Pugwampy]

Dont forget Dnd books or rules are just guidlines . You dont have to give up XP to make an item if you dont like the idea . I do not .
If you find a rule unhelpful or too much admin make up a new rule.

[TheHalfAasimar]

Dont forget Dnd books or rules are just guidlines . You dont have to give up XP to make an item if you dont like the idea . I do not .
If you find a rule unhelpful or too much admin make up a new rule.

I mean, obviously, it's all the DM, but that makes sense! Thanks!